







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | |
| And Pogo gets very scared of the crowd and the noise. | |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | |
| Because the other people complain about me smoking there. | |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | |
| Do you want me to slice the mushrooms for you? | |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| Yes, it seems more logical in this case. | |
| Is there any other cat around? | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| Because you are in it. | |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| Yeah, but the room is square and there are only four main objects in it. | |